Pacific leaders sign US pact

Pacific Island leaders have signed a wideranging declaration agreeing to greater partnership with the United States, months after a similarly expansive agreement proposed by China was rebuffed.

The US yesterday announced a new Pacific strategy and sweeping commitments to the region that included $1.4 billion in spending. The US also promised to recognise New Zealand realm countries Cook Islands and Niue as ‘‘sovereign states’’ – a move the Government says it supports.

At a historic two-day summit in Washington DC, Pacific leaders signed a declaration with the US promising greater partnership on issues including climate change, economic growth, disaster response, healthcare, and security. ‘‘The Pacific Islands note the United States’ commitment to enhance and deepen its security co-operation in the region,’’ the declaration read.

The US diplomatic push in the Pacific in recent months has been an apparent bid to directly compete with China’s influencebuilding efforts.

Earlier in the year, Chinese ForeignMinister Wang Yi travelled across the Pacific asking countries to sign a similarly expansive region-wide agreement that nations ultimately did not sign.

Signatories of the US declaration included the Solomon Islands, which reportedly took issue with a draft declaration earlier in the week, and most other Pacific Island nations. Niue was not present, nor was Kiribati, which left the Pacific Island Forum earlier this year.

New Zealand and Australia, members of the US’ ‘‘Partners of the Blue Pacific’’, were at the summit as observers and were not signatories to the declaration.

US ambassador to New Zealand Tom Udall said he understood the Pacific Island countries did not want to be ‘‘caught in the middle’’ of a greater geopolitical struggle.

‘‘We’re not trying to make people choose one or the other. Basically with our proposals, and our discussions, and our listening sessions [we are] saying, ‘What are the things that are important to you, and how do we work together tomake them happen?’’’

Udall would be visiting Cook Islands and Niue in the coming weeks and said the island nations wanted to be recognised as sovereign states by the US.

As realm countries they are self-governing but the New Zealand Government provides aid and assistance running their affairs, and New Zealand citizenship for their people. Both also have established independent diplomatic relations with China.

‘‘We listened to them. I did everything I could to convey that back through all the channels in Washington,’’ Udall said.

He said the recognition would mean more direct dealings with the US, and access to more US resources for the islands. New Zealand officials would not have been surprised by themove, he said.

‘‘I assume from the beginning that they would know the huge interest in the two wanting to be treated [as] sovereign states. As you know, there are many other countries that have now recognised them.

‘‘We work with New Zealand officials every day and they won’t be surprised and weren’t surprised, I’m sure.’’

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government warmly welcomed the ‘‘major commitments’’ from the US.

‘‘Aotearoa New Zealand is strongly supportive of assistance which is responsive to partner needs. The summit was a welcome opportunity for Pacific leaders to convey their views directly to President Biden and senior members of his cabinet.’’ She said the Government supported increased US engagement with Cook Islands and Niue.